Insider Brief:
- Oleg Kononenko has set a new world record for the most cumulative time spent in space
- The Russian cosmonaut has spent over 878 days and 12 hours in space, making five journeys to the International Space Station since 2008.
- Kononenko’s current trip, which began on September 15, 2023, is expected to make him the first person to accumulate 1,000 days in space.
Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Kononenko, has broken the world record for the most cumulative time spent in space, according to Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos. At 59 years old, Kononenko has logged over 878 days and 12 hours in space, surpassing the previous record set by fellow Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka in 2015.
Kononenko, who has embarked on five journeys to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2008, shared his experience with Russian state news agency Tass. He expressed that being a cosmonaut fulfills a childhood dream stating “I fly into space to do what I love, not to set records. I’ve dreamt of and aspired to become a cosmonaut since I was a child.”
The accomplished engineer emphasized the motivation behind his continuous space exploration, citing the opportunity to live and work in orbit as a driving force. Kononenko’s current mission, which began on September 15, 2023, alongside NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Roscosmos compatriot Nikolai Chub, is expected to make him the first person to accumulate 1,000 days in space.
Despite geopolitical challenges, the International Space Station remains a symbol of collaboration between the United States and Russia. Roscosmos recently announced the extension of its cross-flight program with NASA, ensuring the continued transport of astronauts to the ISS until 2025.
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